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Monday, July 30, 2012

But there was a day not too long ago where we discussed the possibility. And then we panicked, thinking about all the things we would have to fix before we could put the house on the market. And believe me, when you are on the couch nursing and watching HGTV (daytime summer television = WTF) all day long, you think a lot about projects that need to be done. So, here are all the things we hate about our house. Enjoy!

The house numbers and mailbox need to be replaced or redone. I'm just too lazy to figure out what to do. We need to re-cement the flagstone porch and walkway. Again.

We still have several windows that need to be painted, and a couple (like this one) that don't open because some brilliant soul painted them shut a million times. Based on the awful color, it was BOOZY SUZY. Funny side note, I always imagined this color looked like baby poop, and now I can CONFIRM that it does.

We have not replaced all the quarter round in the upstairs hallway or stair landings, since we redid the floors in....2010. The trim is sitting in the hallways patiently waiting and annoying us every time we walk by it. And it would probably only take us an afternoon to install it. Yay us.

The upstairs bathroom needs to be completely ripped out and redone, but we are not going to do that while we live here. It would be fine with some basic fixes. One is the vanity, it is dingy and needs to be repainted.

We also need a new countertop, this lovely laminate one used to extend over the toilet and was dirty white. You couldn't even get into the toilet tank...what the heck??

(2008)

I sprayed it with black rustoleum four years ago and it lasted for a few years, now it looks like garbage again. A new black counter with undermount sink would be great, and I already have a new Kohler faucet for it.

The tub is gross. I did take a magic eraser to it a few days before I had Ashford, and it cleaned up ok...like the 'half and half' shot? I still think Ash will be unimpressed when we plop his adorable little butt into this tub someday.

This side door is on the south side of the house, on the driveway. We took care of the missing walkway when we did the new driveway last fall....

But obviously the door is all askew in the opening and needs to be replaced with a solid entry door with deadbolt and a screen door that works. Oh, and add 'replace porch light' to the list...we bought a new light 4 years ago and it sits in the basement by the cat boxes. A classic case of 'out of sight out of mind' since we don't use this door.

The basement stairs. You can obviously see what the problem is here. Ok then.

This is our basement. I do believe Shaun will kill me for showing this, but I don't care. There is two layers of drywall on the ceiling, paneling, some sort of weird foam board on the walls, and awful adhesive all over the floor from removing the outdoor carpet down here. There is 7 foot ceilings, a fireplace behind the treadmill, and built in cabinets, so it has potential to be a nice space. Until then, it's cluttered and smelly.

The house is starting to peel. We need to paint the spots that are bad as well as the dining room porch. Oh, and the garage doors and deck railings above the garage.

We have to address our window wells, this one is an over-achiever and has sprouted some pretty ivy. I love how I didn't even notice it was growing over that window. Fail.

And of course there are little things, like painting some doors and trim, cleaning grout and re-caulking in the bathrooms, etc. So, there's all the problems that still need to be 'Russet Street Renoed'....does anyone want to fund our renovations?? Just shoot me an email if you do. Thanks.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

OK, he's actually 6 weeks old, but I took so many 1 month photos it took me almost 2 weeks to go through them and pick the best ones. I used sticky bellies, gifted to me by my bestie, and propped up baby in the antique baby carriage. I love the results, even though my camera was on a bad setting the whole time so most of the pics are pretty soft and blurry. I HATE THAT!

Eventually, I figured out the plain wall was a better backdrop for the photos, so I moved the carriage closer to the window instead of next to the crib. Lesson learned for next time.

I love the giant bear, he is the perfect accessory to prop up Ashford, and also is very photogenic. I had a great time taking these pics, I used the light from the window and also one of my stand lights to fill in the darkness on the other side. I really wish I'd paid more attention to my shutter speed and aperture to get clearer shots, but I guess I'm lucky I even remembered to take the lens cap off these days. Just kidding, I've lost every lens cap I ever bought for my camera. ha

And that signaled the end of the photo shoot. Hopefully the two month pics turn out even better! I'm not sure if I mentioned it yet, but at his 1 month appointment, he was 8 lbs 15 oz and 21.5 inches long. That is an increase of over 2 pounds and 2 inches since he was born! Baby likes to eat, what can I say.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Here's a random post about what's going on with me. We got a brand new 3.5 ton, 16 SEER Payne A/C unit installed by a friend. Last night, this was the scene:

I will admit that while our old unit was a beast, I rather liked the low profile and the pretty painted finish that has held up for 3 years. It was Rustoleum rust-colored spray and Behr 'Sweet Tea' exterior latex paint rolled on top. There is not one bubble or chip on this unit, so I must have done a good job!

I was a bit disappointed in how tall the new unit was, but what are you gonna do? The more energy efficient, the bigger the unit, apparently. And our house is freezing right now, so it's working like a charm! (Of course, now I'm turning it off because I'm cheap)

We do have a big space where the new unit doesn't cover the concrete...I'm thinking a custom planter would fill that space nicely.

I also went and got supplies for the garage doors and other exterior painting that needs to be done.

Interior/Exterior wood filler, 123 primer, exterior caulk, Sherwin Williams SuperPaint in Extra White, as well as a new scraper, roller cover and 60 grit sandpaper. (Not so) fun fact, even when all Sherwin paints are 30% off, SuperPaint is still $38 a gallon. What the heck, is that even legal?? Hopefully it's worth the price when I use it to cover this old wood:

While we haven't had rain for weeks and we really need it, it's going to work out well for this project, I guess. When I'm able to get around to it...fussy butt doesn't give me much time for anything during the day.

Wouldn't you know, when I want to take pictures of him 'not giving me any time to do stuff' he chooses to sleep and not wake up.

Well, he kind of opened his eyes for this one, but I think he would've flipped off the camera if he knew how. Update on me...I'm feeling so much better at 5 weeks postpartum. I no longer have pain and itching, but I'm still not riding a bike anytime soon. I've dropped 19 pounds and have about 15 more to go. I've showered and put on makeup every single day I've been home on maternity leave. I also make sure my toes are painted and looking nice. This week's color is Orly 'Hot Shot'...ooh la la!

It may sound silly, but when you're living in nursing tanks and stretchy bottoms because none of your shorts fit, feeling good in other ways is totally necessary! Ok, I'm off to take funny pictures of my sleeping baby instead of doing things like laundry, dishes, dusting, watering the plants, etc....

Monday, July 2, 2012

I'm pretty sure I haven't done this since 2011, all this year I was pregnant and crabby and sweating through all my sheets nightly, so what was the point?? I suppose getting a new quilt and shams set helped motivate me. Although, I still sweat like crazy at night and I put a quilt on my bed just in time for a 96 degree day tomorrow with a busted A/C unit. Yeah....having a child makes you lose your mind.

But, isn't the Cynthia Rowley Medallion set pretty? I got the quilt and shams for $60 total at TJ Maxx, but there are some on ebay too...for more money, it's apparently discontinued. You also can't find the adorable bed accessory I have anywhere...sorry!

He was psyched to be on the bed instead of in the little bassinet he usually sleeps in. I guess he needs lots of space to flail, and I also think he appreciates the pretty backdrop.

Speaking of the bassinet, it was mine when I was a baby. My mom got all new fabric for it, and I love having him in our room for these first couple months until I can bear to have him in his crib. It's perfect!

With the bedroom looking a little nicer, my next task is finding a missing tote of summer clothes that might actually fit on me! Here's hoping.

About Me

My name is Sara. I am a home owner/renovator, photographer, and stay at home mom in the Chicago area trying to cram all kinds of projects into the time my son is at school. Ashford is 5, and our second baby Zach just turned 2, so things are pretty busy around here! I like slightly inappropriate humor, wine, and stalking house blogs. I love starting new DIY projects and sometimes hate finishing them. I love taking portraits of families, children and couples whenever I can. This blog is all about the projects my husband and I tackle, the projects that fizzle, and the funny things that happen to us along the way.